DISD, Partnering Agencies Present Knowledge is Power Conference

The Dallas Independent School District partnered with the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Dallas Asian America n Chamber of Commerce and Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to host its annual Knowledge is Power Conference. The DISD Administrative Building was home to the five-day initiative that provided information about doing business with DISD and other local school districts.

According to Annie Holmes Partee, DISD ‘ s Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise director, the workshops were aimed at stimulating growth of minority- and women-owned business enterprises and featured industry-leading experts who gave attendees opportunities to learn how to position their businesses for optimum rewards.

“The district’s purchasing department took a very active role in the training classes. The purchasing staff taught nightly classes and all buyers attended,” Partee said. “Board of Trustees [members] Carla Ranger, Ron Price and Lew Blackburn [also] attended the conference.”

Day one began with school district roundtable discussions. Stella Vargas, DISD M/WBE program manager, presented the district’s objectives and accomplishments and explained the areas in which M/WBEs may find opportunities to do business. A presentation by Fort Worth Independent School District’s Jollyn Mwisongo, HUB program business coordinator, explained the district’s initiatives and procurement opportunities. Ethnic chamber representatives were also on hand to summarize the many resources available for M/WBEs.

On the second day, Maria Diaz, Pursuit of Excellence HR president, discussed making the right statement with appropriate dress and bidding strategies. Day-three presentations by the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, the Women’s Business Council-Southwest and the Dallas Fo r t Worth Minority Business Council took attendees through the certification process, explaining how becoming certified can take their businesses to the next level.

On days three and four, participants learned to “Think with Ink.”

“The purpose of this workshop was to discuss strategies designed to increase the district’s M/WBE utilization, ascertain any barriers to Dallas ISD procurement opportunities, brainstorm solutions to such matters and obtain an anecdotal survey from the workshop attendees,” Partee explained. “The survey will be utilized to implement M/WBE strategies and future workshops.”

Knowledge is Power culminated with a graduation ceremony, rewarding those participants who attended the entire five-day conference. Eric Anderson, chief operating officer, and James Robinson, executive director of procurement services, presented the certificates.

Participants in the Dallas Business Alliance Mentor Protégé program, a joint initiative between DISD, the city of Dallas, Dallas County Community College District, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce and Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, were also recognized. The progra m operates as a training tool to allow local M/WBEs to obtain successful business strategies from experienced businesses. Participating mentors include Derrell Conway, Corporate Express; Business Interiors; Marie Diaz, Pursuit of Excellence HR ; and Greta Calvery and Joleen Pomar of Wa s t e Management. Participating proteges include Maria Morin, Personnel Resources; Catherine Ogie, Rockhaven Group LLC; Lawrence Doughty, Hollyw o o d Restroom & Janitorial Supplies; and Keith Scott, KAS Consulting.

The business networker with public entity partners (the city of Dallas, DA RT, NTTA, DFW International Airport, the University of North Texas and Dallas County Community College District) created an environment for attendees to lay the groundwork for future connections.